Lionel Messi’s legacy continues to make headlines as six of his iconic Argentina captain’s shirts worn during the World Cup triumph head to auction.
The set, including Messi’s shirt from the final, where Argentina claimed victory against France in Qatar last December, is estimated to fetch over £8m at Sotheby’s New York auction.
This collection is poised to rival the record-breaking sale of Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ jersey, which reached £7.1m in 2022.
Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter, hailed the auction as a historic moment, marking Messi’s association with the incredible 2022 Fifa World Cup, solidifying his status as football’s greatest.
Messi’s World Cup performance made history as he became the first player to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final in a single tournament.
Wachter said he had the honour of showcasing these invaluable collectibles that highlight Messi’s unparalleled brilliance on the field, redefining football excellence.
The shirts will be exhibited at Sotheby’s New York headquarters for public viewing during the auction, open from November 30th to December 14th.
While Messi played in all seven matches during the World Cup, only two of the three shirts from the group stage will be auctioned, as one was exchanged with Australia’s Cameron Devlin.
Additionally, a portion of the auction proceeds will support the Unicas Project, assisting children with rare diseases, in collaboration with the Leo Messi Foundation and Sant Joan de Deu (SJD) Barcelona Children’s Hospital.